In recent days, Ukraine has reportedly carried out strikes inside Russia using U.S. weapons, as confirmed by Republican Sen. Mike Rounds and an anonymous Western official familiar with the matter. These strikes were conducted under the newly approved guidance from President Joe Biden, which allows American arms to be used in defense of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.

The anonymous Western official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that the authorization to use U.S. weapons for strikes inside Russia was limited to the purpose of defending Kharkiv. This development comes as Russian forces have intensified their attacks on the city, which is located just 20 kilometers away from the Russian border.

Sen. Rounds, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, confirmed the use of U.S. weapons in these strikes. However, he did not disclose how he obtained this information. While President Biden's directive allows for the use of U.S.-supplied weapons against Russian forces that are attacking or preparing to attack, it does not change the existing U.S. policy that restricts Ukraine from using American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles for offensive strikes inside Russia.

This recent action by Ukraine follows their increased calls for the U.S. to allow Kyiv's forces to defend themselves against attacks originating from Russian territory. The delay in replenishing U.S. military aid has allowed Russian forces to advance in the northeast Kharkiv region. Additionally, inadequate military production in Western Europe has further impeded crucial deliveries of aid to Ukraine's battlefield.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby refrained from confirming whether Ukraine used U.S. weapons to target Russia, stating that the U.S. administration is not regularly updated on the details of Ukrainian strikes. He described it as a tactical matter.

According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian forces are believed to have targeted a Russian S-300/400 air defense battery in the Belgorod region using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). This attack likely took place on June 1 or June 2, approximately 60 kilometers away from the current front line in the Kharkiv region, and over 80 kilometers away from the city of Kharkiv.

As these developments unfold, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has embarked on a visit to Qatar, one of the mediators in negotiations and prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine. Zelenskyy met with Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss methods of halting the fighting, protecting civilians, and exploring diplomatic avenues for resolving the crisis through dialogue.

Sen. Rounds expressed his agreement with President Biden's decision to permit the use of U.S. weapons in limited defensive actions against Russia. He emphasized the importance of neutralizing the threat posed by Russian forces to prevent further harm in Ukraine.

As the situation continues to escalate, the use of U.S. weapons by Ukraine marks a significant development, highlighting the intensifying conflict between the neighboring nations.